Earlier in the year, after Nike announced they would only be making shoes and apparel, Rory switched to a Scotty Cameron Putter. McIlroy’s form improved immediately, winning two of his next four events. Can we attribute an equipment change to an immediate success? Rory McIlroy’s $10 million bonus suggests that we can.

McIlroy will continue to wear Nike shoes and clothing. He posted this small teaser to Instagram earlier today. His contract is reportedly worth $20 million a year.

Most golf writers agree that Nike’s equipment withdrawal was largely down to Rory’s failure to reach the same level of dominance exhibited by Tiger Woods. Since signing with Nike in 2013, Rory has won 7 PGA Tour events including two major championships. Hardly a drought we can all agree, but still short of Nike’s obsession with dominance. It’s slightly ironic, or rather bad timing, that Nike announced their withdrawal just weeks before Rory’s career-changing form during the FedExCup Playoffs.

It must be exciting for everyone at TaylorMade to see Rory using their equipment. Adidas are looking to sell the least profitable wing of their business, so for Rory to be using the M2 is surely a timely boost. There is little doubting the quality of the driver and fairway woods, as this is an immensely popular product over both the European and PGA Tours.

It’s worth mentioning that if World No. 3 McIlroy joined TaylorMade’s roster, the game’s top three players, including No. 1-ranked Jason Day and No. 2-ranked Dustin Johnson, would all play TaylorMade drivers and fairway woods. That’s a pretty awesome marketing tool.